Firecrackers in Port Coquitlam cause calls to police

After several hours investigating a report of shots fired in a wooded, residential neighbourhood in Port Coquitlam, RCMP investigators have discovered that the suspicious noise was almost certainly caused by firecrackers.

If you’re going to use firecrackers, fireworks or other noisemakers, it’s important to think twice about the reaction you’ll get from residents and the police, says Corporal Michael McLaughlin with Coquitlam RCMP. We can’t ignore potential gunshots. There was a lot of worry and inconvenience for people who live nearby- not to mention the resources and money that went into this file.

Police were on scene from about 4:30 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. and needed to search a large, wooded area bounded by Coast Meridian Road in the west, Cedar Drive in the east, Victoria Drive in the north and Prairie Avenue in the south. Three schools, BC Christian Academy, Leigh Elementary School and Minnekhada Middle School, were affected by the police investigation.

If you see ever any suspicious activity in progress, call 911. To report a non-emergency, or tell police if you’re going to use bear-bangers or other noisemakers that could be confused for gunshots, call the Coquitlam RCMP non-emergency line at 604-945-1550.

PORT COQUITLAM (NEWS 1130) – It turns out those reports of shots being fired in Port Coquitlam may have been nothing more than firecrackers. Coquitlam RCMP Cpl. Michael Michael McLaughlin says officers got a call about potential gunshots from concerned residents around 4:30 Wednesday morning.

Coquitlam RCMP say an ongoing police incident in Port Coquitlam is now over and the area has been deemed safe. Police were asking residents to stay away from the area bordered by Victoria Drive to the north, Coast Meridian Road to the west and Cedar Drive to the east after they received reports of shots fired early Wednesday morning.

Under the direction of the RCMP, the “Hold &Secure” status at @minnekhada Middle & @Leigh_Elem Elementary Schools has been lifted. Regular school day operations are now underway. Any changes to this status will again be communicated here & on school & district websites. #sd43

Port Coquitlam police have determined that what neighbours thought was gunfire turned out to be firecrackers. RCMP were in the Hyde Creek area Wednesday from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., even calling in an emergency response team to assist after several residents called to report what they thought were gunshots.

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